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袩褉懈泻谢褞褔械薪懈褟 协褉邪褋褌邪 肖邪薪写芯褉懈薪邪 #2
诏丕賲亘蹖 鬲乇讴蹖
讴丕乇丌诏丕賴 趩丕賯 賵 禺賵卮鈥屬举堌� 丕蹖賳 鈥屫ㄘж� 诏乇賮鬲丕乇 倬乇賵賳丿賴鈥屸€屫й� 睾乇蹖亘 卮丿賴鈥屫ж池�. 爻丕賱 郾鄹鄯鄯 丕爻鬲貙 噩賳诏 賲蹖丕賳 乇賵爻蹖賴 賵 丕賲倬乇丕鬲賵乇蹖 毓孬賲丕賳蹖 丿乇 卮亘賴鈥屫槽屫辟団€屰� 亘丕賱讴丕賳 亘丕賱丕 诏乇賮鬲賴鈥屫ж池�. 丿乇 丕蹖賳 賮囟丕蹖 倬蹖趩蹖丿賴鈥屰� 倬乇 丕夭 禺蹖丕賳鬲 賵 丿爻蹖爻賴貙 丕乇丕爻鬲 賮丕賳丿賵乇蹖賳 诏乇賮鬲丕乇 丿禺鬲乇蹖 噩爻賵乇 卮丿賴 讴賴 禺丕賳賴 賵 讴丕卮丕賳賴鈥屫ж� 乇丕 丿乇 乇賵爻蹖賴 乇賴丕 讴乇丿賴 賵 丿乇 賴蹖卅鬲 賲乇丿丕賳賴 乇丕賴蹖 噩亘賴賴鈥屬囏й� 賳亘乇丿 卮丿賴鈥屫ж池�. 賮丕賳丿賵乇蹖賳 丕賵 乇丕 賳噩丕鬲 賲蹖鈥屫囏� 丕賲丕 丿禺鬲乇 爻乇爻禺鬲 鬲賲丕蹖賱 賳丿丕乇丿 丕夭 賲乇丿蹖 讴賴 丕賵 乇丕 賳賵讴乇 倬丕丿卮丕賴 賲蹖鈥屬嗀з呚� 賯丿乇丿丕賳蹖 讴賳丿. 亘丕 丕蹖賳鈥屫з� 禺亘乇 賲蹖鈥屫必池� 讴賴 亘賴 賳丕賲夭丿 丿禺鬲乇 丕鬲賴丕賲 爻賳诏蹖賳蹖 賵丕乇丿 卮丿賴 賵 夭賳丿诏蹖鈥屫ж� 丿乇 丌爻鬲丕賳賴鈥屰� 鬲亘丕賴蹖 丕爻鬲. 丌蹖丕 丨囟賵乇 賮丕賳丿賵乇蹖賳 爻丕蹖賴鈥屰� 卮賵賲 乇丕 丕夭 爻乇 丿禺鬲乇 賵 賳丕賲夭丿卮 丿賵乇 禺賵丕賴丿 讴乇丿責
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
148 people are currently reading
2139 people want to read
About the author
Boris Akunin
291听books1,600听followersReal name - Grigory Shalvovich Chkhartishvili (Russian: 袘芯褉懈褋 袗泻褍薪懈薪; Georgian: 醿掅儬醿樶儝醿濁儬醿� 醿ㄡ儛醿氠儠醿愥儭 醿償 醿┽儺醿愥儬醿⑨儤醿ㄡ儠醿樶儦醿�; 袗lso see Grigory Chkhartishvili, 袚褉懈谐芯褉懈泄 效褏邪褉褌懈褕胁懈谢懈), born in Tbilisi, Georgia, in 1956. Since 1958 he lives in Moscow. Writer and translator from Japanese. Author of crime stories set in tsarist Russia. In 1998 he made his debut with novel Azazel (to English readers known as The Winter Queen), where he created Erast Pietrovich Fandorin.
B. Akunin refers to Mikhail Alexandrovich Bakunin and Akuna, home name of Anna Akhmatova, Russian poet.
In September of 2000, Akunin was named Russian Writer of the Year and won the "Antibooker" prize in 2000 for his Erast Fandorin novel Coronation, or the last of the Romanovs.
Akunin also created crime-solving Orthodox nun, sister Pelagia, and literary genres.
His pseudonyms are 袗薪邪褌芯谢懈泄 袘褉褍褋薪懈泻懈薪 and 袗薪薪邪 袘芯褉懈褋芯胁邪. In some Dutch editions he is also known as Boris Akoenin.
B. Akunin refers to Mikhail Alexandrovich Bakunin and Akuna, home name of Anna Akhmatova, Russian poet.
In September of 2000, Akunin was named Russian Writer of the Year and won the "Antibooker" prize in 2000 for his Erast Fandorin novel Coronation, or the last of the Romanovs.
Akunin also created crime-solving Orthodox nun, sister Pelagia, and literary genres.
His pseudonyms are 袗薪邪褌芯谢懈泄 袘褉褍褋薪懈泻懈薪 and 袗薪薪邪 袘芯褉懈褋芯胁邪. In some Dutch editions he is also known as Boris Akoenin.
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February 10, 2019DNF. I did not finish this book so I鈥檓 not giving it a rating. I can see that some might enjoy this book, so I鈥檒l give a brief summary of what I read. (See the punch-line at the end of my review.)
It鈥檚 fast-paced with a lot of action and just-in-time rescues of a damsel always in distress. As an example of the writing style, we learn on page 6 that our heroine has been abandoned in a roadside tavern by her male companion and left 鈥渁lone in this dim, dirty, and distinctly malodorous sink of iniquity.鈥� She has no money, no change of clothes, no papers. Fortunately, just in the nick of time, the famous Turkish detective, Erast Fandorin, who happens to be in the tavern, comes to her rescue.
Our heroine is a remarkably liberated Russian woman for her time. The novel is set in 1877 during the war between Russia and the Ottoman Empire. Having read that there are women doctors in the United States, she starts to train as one by helping a midwife but finds that she faints at the sight of blood. She then trains to become Russia鈥檚 first female telegraph operator. She finds that boring with no possibility of advancement, so instead, becomes a stenographer.
Then she returns to her village in Russia to be a teacher. The only other teacher in her school is a young male. They enjoy each other鈥檚 company so much that they move to live in St. Petersburg. Their relationship is chaste, so they live in a two-bedroom apartment, but, of course, have to tell the landlord they are married. All is well until her male companion decides that their platonic relationship is 鈥渄efying the laws of nature鈥� and gives her an ultimatum: they must kick their relationship up a notch - with or without marriage 鈥� or he鈥檚 gone. It鈥檚 up to her.
Meanwhile he enlists as an officer in the war and she follows him to the front, hoping to get a job as a stenographer again while she makes up her mind about his ultimatum. It鈥檚 a dangerous journey for a woman so she travels with him disguised as a boy. That鈥檚 how she ends up abandoned in the tavern.
The detective has remarkable gambling skills so he goes to the tavern dice table and wins a pony so she can travel with him. In the very first day they are attacked by bandits and her disguise is revealed but - just in the nick of time - a squadron of Russian Cossacks appear to rescue her from villainy.
Here鈥檚 the punch line: all that I described I learned in the first 29 pages! So I'm not kidding when I say it is fast-paced and action-packed. If you do like this type of book, you are in luck, because there are about a dozen in the series and almost all of them have been translated from Russian into English.
Painting of the Battle of Shipka Pass by Alexey Popov from wikipedia.com
Photo of the author from rferl.org
It鈥檚 fast-paced with a lot of action and just-in-time rescues of a damsel always in distress. As an example of the writing style, we learn on page 6 that our heroine has been abandoned in a roadside tavern by her male companion and left 鈥渁lone in this dim, dirty, and distinctly malodorous sink of iniquity.鈥� She has no money, no change of clothes, no papers. Fortunately, just in the nick of time, the famous Turkish detective, Erast Fandorin, who happens to be in the tavern, comes to her rescue.
Our heroine is a remarkably liberated Russian woman for her time. The novel is set in 1877 during the war between Russia and the Ottoman Empire. Having read that there are women doctors in the United States, she starts to train as one by helping a midwife but finds that she faints at the sight of blood. She then trains to become Russia鈥檚 first female telegraph operator. She finds that boring with no possibility of advancement, so instead, becomes a stenographer.
Then she returns to her village in Russia to be a teacher. The only other teacher in her school is a young male. They enjoy each other鈥檚 company so much that they move to live in St. Petersburg. Their relationship is chaste, so they live in a two-bedroom apartment, but, of course, have to tell the landlord they are married. All is well until her male companion decides that their platonic relationship is 鈥渄efying the laws of nature鈥� and gives her an ultimatum: they must kick their relationship up a notch - with or without marriage 鈥� or he鈥檚 gone. It鈥檚 up to her.
Meanwhile he enlists as an officer in the war and she follows him to the front, hoping to get a job as a stenographer again while she makes up her mind about his ultimatum. It鈥檚 a dangerous journey for a woman so she travels with him disguised as a boy. That鈥檚 how she ends up abandoned in the tavern.
The detective has remarkable gambling skills so he goes to the tavern dice table and wins a pony so she can travel with him. In the very first day they are attacked by bandits and her disguise is revealed but - just in the nick of time - a squadron of Russian Cossacks appear to rescue her from villainy.
Here鈥檚 the punch line: all that I described I learned in the first 29 pages! So I'm not kidding when I say it is fast-paced and action-packed. If you do like this type of book, you are in luck, because there are about a dozen in the series and almost all of them have been translated from Russian into English.
Painting of the Battle of Shipka Pass by Alexey Popov from wikipedia.com
Photo of the author from rferl.org
June 14, 2020
It's the Ottoman-Russian War in 1877, and a young liberated woman travels from Russia to the front lines to be with her soldier fiance. Along the way, she meets up with Erast Fandorin, a talented young man with a stammer.
Fandorin is put in charge of a project to identify and neutralize a master spy that no one has ever actually seen. He sets to work with a vengeance.
Highly recommended.
Fandorin is put in charge of a project to identify and neutralize a master spy that no one has ever actually seen. He sets to work with a vengeance.
Highly recommended.
September 12, 2018
I started this series a long time ago. I really enjoyed the . Somehow, I managed to skip this second book and read all the other translated stories. This is a solid, old-fashioned, Victorian historical fiction, detective/spy thriller mashup. It鈥檚 very much in the vein of 鈥檚
Yashim the Eunuch
series, but Russian and set in the mid-1870s (mid-Victorian period).
Writing is good. Oddly, the POV did not include that of the protagonist (Erast Fandorin), which gave the book a somewhat more sophisticated feel than you鈥檇 expect in a historical fiction, detective novel. I thought dialog was better than description. More importantly, because this is a Russian series in translation, the translation by Andrew Bromfield was good. If a have a criticism it鈥檚 with the occasional excess found in the narrative. For example, use of 鈥渟crofulous鈥� and 鈥渙dalisque鈥� evoked peals of laughter while sending me to the dictionary to confirm their definition. However, I鈥檝e read a lot of novels originally written in the period. The dialog of the 鈥渂etter鈥� classes consumed a lot of syllables.
This book could be considered YA in tone. There was no sex, significant substance abuse, or musical references in the story. Oddly, I would have expected there to be "camp followers" mentioned. There were none. There was a moderate amount of alcohol consumption leading to drunkenness. There was also gambling. There was a modest amount of violence. Violence was edged-weapon and firearms related. It was not overly graphic. Frankly, I think the author missed an opportunity to describe the carnage and brutality of warfare in this period.
Characters were good and were solidly within trope. The nominal protagonist is Fandorin. He鈥檚 what might today be considered a high-functioning autistic, in the Sherlock Holmes mold. Unfortunately, you鈥檇 have to have read The Winter Queen to do much more than observe him in the third person. The real hero was Varya Suvorova, a modern woman. Suvorova鈥檚 was the primary POV. She鈥檚 a late 20th-21st century woman . She鈥檚 well, but not excellently wrought as a character. The interesting spin on this is that she鈥檚 a thinly concealed Bolshevik. Otherwise, she functions somewhat like Watson to Fandorin's Sherlock. The remaining characters include a gaggle of Victorian journalists, Russian civil servants and Russian officers of the nobility. A familiarity with novels and would hold you in good stead in appreciating them. The author takes several jabs at the defunct Imperial and Soviet systems with his characters. The antagonist was almost peripheral to the story and was unconvincing to me. Characters other than those mentioned above were mere NPCs .
Plot was a straightforward Sweet Polly Oliver with Suvorov. She goes to 鈥渢he front鈥� to be with her 鈥渃omrade鈥� fianc茅/husband. Her feelings for him go through a change, as things go badly, get much better, and she becomes embroiled in the politics, dynamics, amours and 鈥済uns, drums and steel鈥� of Russian HQ during the Russo-Turkish War (1877鈥�1878). Suvorova then watches and aids Fandorin catch a Turkish spy in HQ. I thought the real antagonist was too deeply buried beneath red herrings for this to be a fair fight. A long exposition was included with the big reveal at the end of the story to ensure the reader did not leave confused, although, this is very much in character with Victorian-flavored mysteries.
This was a solid story for a Victorian historical fiction spy thriller. The Russian perspective was refreshing from the typical British one. However, it鈥檚 not the best I鈥檝e ever read. I didn鈥檛 think Suvorova鈥檚 narration followed Fandorin鈥檚 investigation properly. I frankly wasn鈥檛 interested in her 鈥渂orn in the wrong century" sub-plot. I really didn鈥檛 know much about the region after the Crimean War. I was more interested in the atmosphere of the Russian HQ in this Balkans war setting. In summary, this book was readable, but not recommended.
Readers interested in late Russian Imperial military and diplomatic history might also want to read by . In fiction, there is the very similar in concept Ottoman-flavored .
Writing is good. Oddly, the POV did not include that of the protagonist (Erast Fandorin), which gave the book a somewhat more sophisticated feel than you鈥檇 expect in a historical fiction, detective novel. I thought dialog was better than description. More importantly, because this is a Russian series in translation, the translation by Andrew Bromfield was good. If a have a criticism it鈥檚 with the occasional excess found in the narrative. For example, use of 鈥渟crofulous鈥� and 鈥渙dalisque鈥� evoked peals of laughter while sending me to the dictionary to confirm their definition. However, I鈥檝e read a lot of novels originally written in the period. The dialog of the 鈥渂etter鈥� classes consumed a lot of syllables.
This book could be considered YA in tone. There was no sex, significant substance abuse, or musical references in the story. Oddly, I would have expected there to be "camp followers" mentioned. There were none. There was a moderate amount of alcohol consumption leading to drunkenness. There was also gambling. There was a modest amount of violence. Violence was edged-weapon and firearms related. It was not overly graphic. Frankly, I think the author missed an opportunity to describe the carnage and brutality of warfare in this period.
Characters were good and were solidly within trope. The nominal protagonist is Fandorin. He鈥檚 what might today be considered a high-functioning autistic, in the Sherlock Holmes mold. Unfortunately, you鈥檇 have to have read The Winter Queen to do much more than observe him in the third person. The real hero was Varya Suvorova, a modern woman. Suvorova鈥檚 was the primary POV. She鈥檚 a late 20th-21st century woman . She鈥檚 well, but not excellently wrought as a character. The interesting spin on this is that she鈥檚 a thinly concealed Bolshevik. Otherwise, she functions somewhat like Watson to Fandorin's Sherlock. The remaining characters include a gaggle of Victorian journalists, Russian civil servants and Russian officers of the nobility. A familiarity with novels and would hold you in good stead in appreciating them. The author takes several jabs at the defunct Imperial and Soviet systems with his characters. The antagonist was almost peripheral to the story and was unconvincing to me. Characters other than those mentioned above were mere NPCs .
Plot was a straightforward Sweet Polly Oliver with Suvorov. She goes to 鈥渢he front鈥� to be with her 鈥渃omrade鈥� fianc茅/husband. Her feelings for him go through a change, as things go badly, get much better, and she becomes embroiled in the politics, dynamics, amours and 鈥済uns, drums and steel鈥� of Russian HQ during the Russo-Turkish War (1877鈥�1878). Suvorova then watches and aids Fandorin catch a Turkish spy in HQ. I thought the real antagonist was too deeply buried beneath red herrings for this to be a fair fight. A long exposition was included with the big reveal at the end of the story to ensure the reader did not leave confused, although, this is very much in character with Victorian-flavored mysteries.
This was a solid story for a Victorian historical fiction spy thriller. The Russian perspective was refreshing from the typical British one. However, it鈥檚 not the best I鈥檝e ever read. I didn鈥檛 think Suvorova鈥檚 narration followed Fandorin鈥檚 investigation properly. I frankly wasn鈥檛 interested in her 鈥渂orn in the wrong century" sub-plot. I really didn鈥檛 know much about the region after the Crimean War. I was more interested in the atmosphere of the Russian HQ in this Balkans war setting. In summary, this book was readable, but not recommended.
Readers interested in late Russian Imperial military and diplomatic history might also want to read by . In fiction, there is the very similar in concept Ottoman-flavored .
April 9, 2024
诇住拽讬专讛 诪驻讜专讟转 讘注讘专讬转 讜讗谞讙诇讬转, 拽讬砖讜专 诇讘诇讜讙 砖诇讬 -
September 15, 2023
Das hat wirklich Spa脽 gemacht
March 4, 2021
8.5 out of 10
I feel like this installment was slightly better than the first one and I hope for further improvement since there a LOT of books in this series. Here we witness real historical events that the author entwine with fiction in an intricate manner. Fandorin opens up from new angles, and, finally, I know what happened with him after the creepy final of Azazel. Almost 20 years of waiting, as I mentioned before xDD
I loved Varya's character. So sincere, strong, and funny. And despite the main character is Fandorin we see his adventures through her eyes. Too bad our paths fork 'cause we'll follow Erast in Japan as I got it. But it's fine with me. A little break for Alex Finley's story and I'll be back for book #3 here.
January 26, 2011
The Book Report: Erast Petrovich Fandorin, titular counsellor of the Tsar's Special Branch (secret police, ugh), finds himself in the thick of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. In a manner very like that of a skinny, stammering love-child of James Bond and Nero Wolfe, Fandorin arranges things so that the party responsible for the sudden and inglorious halt of victorious Russian armies to Constantinople, long the most urgent desire of Imperial Russian froeign policy, comes inevitably to light. His newly minted assistant, the silly and delightfully idealistic Varvara Andreevna Suvorova, takes the center stage for much of this wild, careening caper; a good choice for misdirecting attention, that, and yet the author *scrupulously* plays fair and puts all the clues before the reader...yet Varya's goosey honkings about irrelevancies and her young woman of middling class and wealth scruples, presented with great and genuine affection by the author, do screen the actual malefactor's malefactions quite neatly. One scene, a sword-fight, is particularly nicely handled; Varya's emotions of fear, disgust, and slightly tickled vanity (it's over her honor the parties fight) are so believable that it's hard to imagine the author hasn't had the same thing happen to him. (I doubt much that it has, though.) Quite a wonderful piece of writing (and translation), and not the only one.
My Review: All hail friends with reading addictions! My friend's praise tipped the scales for me, causing me to get these books. I don't regret this, though I am sorry that I waited so long. Still, that means I've got a lot of time before I run out of them! There are over ten in the series so far.
Very high-quality escapism, written and translated very ably, and presented in a point-of-view that's different enough to make the well-worn genre of lone wolf solves problems for Big Government, and then runs away from the limelight, feel fresh and new. Recommended to all who have a yen for solving puzzles...I didn't figure this one out until halfway through!
My Review: All hail friends with reading addictions! My friend's praise tipped the scales for me, causing me to get these books. I don't regret this, though I am sorry that I waited so long. Still, that means I've got a lot of time before I run out of them! There are over ten in the series so far.
Very high-quality escapism, written and translated very ably, and presented in a point-of-view that's different enough to make the well-worn genre of lone wolf solves problems for Big Government, and then runs away from the limelight, feel fresh and new. Recommended to all who have a yen for solving puzzles...I didn't figure this one out until halfway through!
February 6, 2018
Fandorin finds himself on the front lines of the Russo-Turkish war of 1877 in the Balkans (at the siege of Plevna). This is a war story, as Fandorin unravels a spy-vs-spy style of behind-the-lines intrigue and espionage.
What to Expect
Each novel is written as a different type of mystery. Akunin set out to rectify the low-brow reputation of the mystery genre in post-USSR Russia by writing worthy literature and exploring the wide gamut of sub-genres. Each novel is therefore excellently written as a different type of detective case. While there is continuity in the protagonist's life between the novels, each is very different in themes and tones.
I've written a condensed review of the whole series on my website.
What I liked
I like the writing style. The prose is intelligent and flowing, the mysteries are complex, and the cast is varied (though those that make repeat appearances tend to die). Fandorin himself is a great character, even though as a main character he still remains an enigma - a tantalising mystery in itself that keeps readers engaged and clamouring to know more.
I love the historical background. Akunin has done his research into Russian culture, mannerisms, environment, personalities, etc. of the late 19th century / early 20th century. Most of the stories take place around Moscow, and Fandorin gets to meet and associate with the people of the times (from the low-life criminals of Khitrovka, to the grand-dukes of the imperial family). In a few cases, Akunin also has Fandorin active around notable events of the era, at times filling in details where history has left us stumped.
Akunin is also a Japanophile, and has Fandorin spend a few years in Japan. While details are sketchy (and we want more! More!), it is clear that he has a great love and deep knowledge of that culture and times.
What to be aware of
Be aware that each of the novel is told in a different style. Besides the obvious (something new and different in each volume), one keyword听 is 'told'. They are almost all in 3rd person perspective, and quite often not from the point of view of Erast Fandorin (which is both tantalising and frustrating at times). It's this distance that keeps Fandorin an enigma, and keeps us coming back to learn more.
Fandorin has a Sherlockian intellect and impressive physical prowess. He is not without his faults (most notably听hubris), but as a hero he is certainly a cut above the rest. He also tends to get involved with a different femme fatale in each book. This suits the detective genre perfectly, regardless of modern sensibilities.
While the books are not really related and have few continuing characters, I'd still strongly recommend to read them in order.
Lastly, and this has nothing to do with Fandorin, since these are professional translations (amazingly done by听Andrew Bromfield) via a traditional publisher, the price of ebooks and hardcovers is almost the same. The ebooks are also missing some of the illustrations and other typographical effects that are present in the print. I'd definitely recommend reading the print edition, where possible.
Summary
Should you read these novels? Yes! By all means, if you love historical mysteries these novels are a must read. It is an intelligent, engaging, and just different enough series to be in a class of its own. It's not surprising that in his home country of Russia, Akunin out-sells JK Rowling. In fact, since it's been a few years since I've read them, I think I'll go back and re-read my favourites (Winter Queen, State Counsellor, and The Coronation).
--
, author of : A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
Each novel is written as a different type of mystery. Akunin set out to rectify the low-brow reputation of the mystery genre in post-USSR Russia by writing worthy literature and exploring the wide gamut of sub-genres. Each novel is therefore excellently written as a different type of detective case. While there is continuity in the protagonist's life between the novels, each is very different in themes and tones.
I've written a condensed review of the whole series on my website.
What I liked
I like the writing style. The prose is intelligent and flowing, the mysteries are complex, and the cast is varied (though those that make repeat appearances tend to die). Fandorin himself is a great character, even though as a main character he still remains an enigma - a tantalising mystery in itself that keeps readers engaged and clamouring to know more.
I love the historical background. Akunin has done his research into Russian culture, mannerisms, environment, personalities, etc. of the late 19th century / early 20th century. Most of the stories take place around Moscow, and Fandorin gets to meet and associate with the people of the times (from the low-life criminals of Khitrovka, to the grand-dukes of the imperial family). In a few cases, Akunin also has Fandorin active around notable events of the era, at times filling in details where history has left us stumped.
Akunin is also a Japanophile, and has Fandorin spend a few years in Japan. While details are sketchy (and we want more! More!), it is clear that he has a great love and deep knowledge of that culture and times.
What to be aware of
Be aware that each of the novel is told in a different style. Besides the obvious (something new and different in each volume), one keyword听 is 'told'. They are almost all in 3rd person perspective, and quite often not from the point of view of Erast Fandorin (which is both tantalising and frustrating at times). It's this distance that keeps Fandorin an enigma, and keeps us coming back to learn more.
Fandorin has a Sherlockian intellect and impressive physical prowess. He is not without his faults (most notably听hubris), but as a hero he is certainly a cut above the rest. He also tends to get involved with a different femme fatale in each book. This suits the detective genre perfectly, regardless of modern sensibilities.
While the books are not really related and have few continuing characters, I'd still strongly recommend to read them in order.
Lastly, and this has nothing to do with Fandorin, since these are professional translations (amazingly done by听Andrew Bromfield) via a traditional publisher, the price of ebooks and hardcovers is almost the same. The ebooks are also missing some of the illustrations and other typographical effects that are present in the print. I'd definitely recommend reading the print edition, where possible.
Summary
Should you read these novels? Yes! By all means, if you love historical mysteries these novels are a must read. It is an intelligent, engaging, and just different enough series to be in a class of its own. It's not surprising that in his home country of Russia, Akunin out-sells JK Rowling. In fact, since it's been a few years since I've read them, I think I'll go back and re-read my favourites (Winter Queen, State Counsellor, and The Coronation).
--
, author of : A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
March 7, 2012
I have to be honest, this is the first Fandorin book that I've read, but not the first in the series (obviously). I saw it in a second-hand bookstore and thought it looked interesting.
Unfortunately, not so much.
The setting is interesting. I got the book because I enjoy reading historical novels set during times I didn't learn much about in school. So I can give it that! And while a little expected, I did like when everything started becoming a real pop-mystery novel.
But...
Varya is a caricature of a person at best, and at worst is insulting to women. I mean, we're talking about someone who goes to great lengths to see her fiance, then basically forgets about him, and can't help but flirt even when she's been taken hostage.
The men are hardly any better. They seem to exist only to be attracted to Varya.
Fandorin seems interesting, though, and I'd like to pick up another Varya-less book in the series to see what he's like.
Unfortunately, not so much.
The setting is interesting. I got the book because I enjoy reading historical novels set during times I didn't learn much about in school. So I can give it that! And while a little expected, I did like when everything started becoming a real pop-mystery novel.
But...
Varya is a caricature of a person at best, and at worst is insulting to women. I mean, we're talking about someone who goes to great lengths to see her fiance, then basically forgets about him, and can't help but flirt even when she's been taken hostage.
The men are hardly any better. They seem to exist only to be attracted to Varya.
Fandorin seems interesting, though, and I'd like to pick up another Varya-less book in the series to see what he's like.
November 19, 2011
Dalla Russia con amore.
Si pu貌 civettare in un accampamento militare?
Si pu貌 fare spionaggio col sorriso?
Si pu貌 investigare balbettando?
Si pu貌 far capitolare un giovane vecchio?
Se esiste un modo per vedere una guerra con occhi naif, questo libro spiega come.
Si pu貌 civettare in un accampamento militare?
Si pu貌 fare spionaggio col sorriso?
Si pu貌 investigare balbettando?
Si pu貌 far capitolare un giovane vecchio?
Se esiste un modo per vedere una guerra con occhi naif, questo libro spiega come.
August 15, 2020
Sagrib膿j膩s palas墨t Fandorina s膿riju. Da啪as gr膩matas no s膿rijas pirm膩s puses biju jau las墨jusi, p膩ris ekraniz膩cijas ar墨 redz膿jusi, bet nu jau sajucis, ko las墨jusi, ko - tikai redz膿jusi. T膩p膿c 拧oreiz izl膿mu las墨t no s膩kuma. Slinkuma p膿c grib膿j膩s s膩kt latviski, jo da啪as pirm膩s ir tulkotas. "Azaz膿la" viet膿j膩 bibliot膿k膩 nebija, t膩p膿c to s膩ku las墨t krieviski. Tikm膿r tiku pie divu n膩kamo tulkojuma, un t膩s tad ar墨 a拧i izlas墨j膩s.
January 28, 2021
讜讜专讬讬讛, 爪注讬专讛 诪驻讟专讘讜专讙, 诪讙讬注讛 讘注拽讘讜转 讗专讜住讛 诇讞讝讬转 讛诪诇讞诪讛 讛注讜转'诪讗谞讬转-专讜住讬转 讜砖诐 驻讜讙砖转 讗转 驻谞讚讜专讬谉 讜注讜讝专转 诇讜 诇讞驻砖 诪专讙诇讬诐 讟讜专拽讬讬诐谉 讘拽专讘 讛爪讘讗.
讗转 诪讗讜讚 讗讛讘转讬 讗讘诇 讻讗谉 讛讬讛 拽砖讛 诇注拽讜讘 讗讞专讬 讻诇 讛讚诪讜讬讜转 讜讛砖诪讜转 讛专讜住讬诐 讛诪住讜讘讻讬诐 讜诇讻谉 驻讞讜转 谞讛谞讬转讬. 驻转专讜谉 讛转注诇讜诪讛 讛讬讛 诪驻转讬注 讘讻诇 讝讗转. 拽爪转 讞讘诇 砖讘住驻专 讛讝讛 讛讙讬讘讜专讛 讛讬讗 讜讜专讬讬讛 讜诇讗 驻谞讚讜专讬谉.
诪转诇讘讟 讗诐 诇讛诪砖讬讱 诇住驻专 讛讘讗 讘住讚专讛.
讗转 诪讗讜讚 讗讛讘转讬 讗讘诇 讻讗谉 讛讬讛 拽砖讛 诇注拽讜讘 讗讞专讬 讻诇 讛讚诪讜讬讜转 讜讛砖诪讜转 讛专讜住讬诐 讛诪住讜讘讻讬诐 讜诇讻谉 驻讞讜转 谞讛谞讬转讬. 驻转专讜谉 讛转注诇讜诪讛 讛讬讛 诪驻转讬注 讘讻诇 讝讗转. 拽爪转 讞讘诇 砖讘住驻专 讛讝讛 讛讙讬讘讜专讛 讛讬讗 讜讜专讬讬讛 讜诇讗 驻谞讚讜专讬谉.
诪转诇讘讟 讗诐 诇讛诪砖讬讱 诇住驻专 讛讘讗 讘住讚专讛.
May 20, 2008
Really good read. I loved it! It helps if you have read some Turgenev or Lermontov's "Hero..." but you would enjoy even if you hadn't. Interesting narrative in that the "hero" Fandorin is never given a voice and we are never taken into his confidence. This works really well as his detachment remains absolute and in keeping with the Byronic type although there is a warmth about him which does make him
appealing.I loved the humour and the characters were wonderful, in particular Zurov.I will definitely seek out the other titles. Final plus was I didn't spot the traitor!
appealing.I loved the humour and the characters were wonderful, in particular Zurov.I will definitely seek out the other titles. Final plus was I didn't spot the traitor!
February 14, 2020
I am bored!!!
March 31, 2018
转注谞讜讙 诇讞讝讜专 诇住讚专讛 讛讝讜 诇讗讞专 讛驻住拽讛 讘转 8 砖谞讬诐... 住驻专 诪专转拽 砖谞砖注谉 注诇 讗讬专讜注讬诐 讛讬住讟讜专讬讬诐, 讛拽专讬讗讛 砖讜讟驻转 讜讘讻诇诇 讝讛 注砖讛 诇讬 讞砖拽 诇讛诪砖讬讱 诇讞诇拽 讛砖诇讬砖讬...
February 12, 2012
"Gambit", literally "tricking somebody" is usually applied to military operations or chess strategies. In order to achieve the ultimate win some losses have to be accepted along the way. Both contexts fit here beautifully. Boris Akunin, Russian pen name of Georgian writer Grigory Chkhartisvili, has taken an actual episode from the 1877-78 war between the Russian and Ottoman empires to spin yet another successful yarn around young Erast Fandorin, secret agent in the Tsar's Special Division. The author fills a niche market in Russia, as he himself sees it, between the serious literature of the likes of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy and the usual light detective stories of today. For the international reader this new genre of Russian "espionage mystery" - the subtitle of the original - in a specific historical context is a fun read that at the same time provides some insights into the society of the day.
At the end of the previous, first novel in the series, Winter Queen, Erast Fandorin's world was shattered; the repercussions of the drama seem to have resulted in a change of character. Now, he tends to stutter and is introvert and reserved. Has he lost his detective's touch as well? En route to the Russian military command headquarters outside Plevna, in Bulgaria, where a secret mission has sent him, he literally stumbles across Varvara Andreevna Suvorova. A vivacious and "modern" young woman, she is intent on following her fianc茅, a volunteer soldier and cryptographer stationed at the same camp. Varvara, Varya for short, takes over as the primary protagonist of the narrative and Akunin exquisitely develops her character and describes her increasingly important position among the expanding entourage of admiring men. One of these is Sobolev, the White General, for the Russian reader easily recognized as General Skobelev, the real-life hero of the battle for Plevna. For the Turkish side, Akunin also bases some of his characters on actual personalities in the conflict. Furthermore, he introduces an illustrious retinue of international journalists, who mingle with the senior military and are "embedded" at the front lines. Akunin's subtle sarcasm at their doings and mishaps shows through and gives the story a certain actuality to current issues surrounding media observing military conflicts. The drama builds when it becomes evident that a saboteur must be at work: Russian attack positions are pre-empted by Turkish troops. Can the culprit or culprits be apprehended before more lives are lost? Like at a treasure hunt, Akunin leads the protagonists and the reader on a few wild good chases. Will Erast Fandorin's ingenuity and sharp deductive talent, help or hinder the investigation?
Erast Fandorin has become a household name in Russia where millions of copies of each Akunin book are sold. The English speaking world is slowly catching on with now eight novels available in translation. This highly entertaining, this fast moving, action-packed and character-rich story, the second in the series, will delight any reader, beyond the already established Akunin fans. The author brings the intricate Russian historical events of the late 19th century to life with wit and a great sense of irony and humour.
At the end of the previous, first novel in the series, Winter Queen, Erast Fandorin's world was shattered; the repercussions of the drama seem to have resulted in a change of character. Now, he tends to stutter and is introvert and reserved. Has he lost his detective's touch as well? En route to the Russian military command headquarters outside Plevna, in Bulgaria, where a secret mission has sent him, he literally stumbles across Varvara Andreevna Suvorova. A vivacious and "modern" young woman, she is intent on following her fianc茅, a volunteer soldier and cryptographer stationed at the same camp. Varvara, Varya for short, takes over as the primary protagonist of the narrative and Akunin exquisitely develops her character and describes her increasingly important position among the expanding entourage of admiring men. One of these is Sobolev, the White General, for the Russian reader easily recognized as General Skobelev, the real-life hero of the battle for Plevna. For the Turkish side, Akunin also bases some of his characters on actual personalities in the conflict. Furthermore, he introduces an illustrious retinue of international journalists, who mingle with the senior military and are "embedded" at the front lines. Akunin's subtle sarcasm at their doings and mishaps shows through and gives the story a certain actuality to current issues surrounding media observing military conflicts. The drama builds when it becomes evident that a saboteur must be at work: Russian attack positions are pre-empted by Turkish troops. Can the culprit or culprits be apprehended before more lives are lost? Like at a treasure hunt, Akunin leads the protagonists and the reader on a few wild good chases. Will Erast Fandorin's ingenuity and sharp deductive talent, help or hinder the investigation?
Erast Fandorin has become a household name in Russia where millions of copies of each Akunin book are sold. The English speaking world is slowly catching on with now eight novels available in translation. This highly entertaining, this fast moving, action-packed and character-rich story, the second in the series, will delight any reader, beyond the already established Akunin fans. The author brings the intricate Russian historical events of the late 19th century to life with wit and a great sense of irony and humour.
March 20, 2009
This is the third according to the publisher of Boris Akunin's Erast Fandorin Russian detective stories, however I think they must have them out of sequence as he departs on the trip covered in the second novel at the end of this story.
Akunin is quite interesting in that he looks at the narrative in each of these books in a different way, in this case we follow Varvara Suvorova as she journeys to the front line in the Russo-Turkish war of the 1870s to be with her cryptographer boyfriend. On the way she is rescued from the Bashi Bazouks by Fandorin. On arrival it isn't long before she is drawn into investigating a plot to sabotage the Russian War effort when her boyfriend is arrested for sending the message for the Russian forces to occupy the wrong town handing the Turks a victory. So its up to Fandorin and Suvorova to find the spy at the Russian HQ to avert a disaster.
I liked a lot of things about this book, the setting was very interesting and made me want to learn more about what to most of us is a little known footnote in the history of Europe, but one that almost precipitated a World War. The story was intriguing and well structured, but I think the translation has let it down as the language lacks vigour. Its still fun though
Akunin is quite interesting in that he looks at the narrative in each of these books in a different way, in this case we follow Varvara Suvorova as she journeys to the front line in the Russo-Turkish war of the 1870s to be with her cryptographer boyfriend. On the way she is rescued from the Bashi Bazouks by Fandorin. On arrival it isn't long before she is drawn into investigating a plot to sabotage the Russian War effort when her boyfriend is arrested for sending the message for the Russian forces to occupy the wrong town handing the Turks a victory. So its up to Fandorin and Suvorova to find the spy at the Russian HQ to avert a disaster.
I liked a lot of things about this book, the setting was very interesting and made me want to learn more about what to most of us is a little known footnote in the history of Europe, but one that almost precipitated a World War. The story was intriguing and well structured, but I think the translation has let it down as the language lacks vigour. Its still fun though
July 10, 2014
袩褉懈胁谢懈褔邪 褋 褌芯胁邪, 褔械 写械泄褋褌胁懈械褌芯 褋械 褉邪蟹胁懈胁邪 懈蟹褑褟谢芯 薪邪 斜褗谢谐邪褉褋泻邪 蟹械屑褟. 袨褋胁械薪 褌芯胁邪 谐芯 懈屑邪 懈 懈褋褌芯褉懈褔械褋泻懈褟 械谢械屑械薪褌 - 锌芯褋褌邪胁懈褏 褋懈 蟹邪 蟹邪写邪褔邪 写邪 褌褗褉褋褟 懈褋褌芯褉懈褔械褋泻懈 薪械褋褗芯褌胁械褌褋褌胁懈褟, 薪芯 褌邪泻懈胁邪 薪械 芯褌泻褉懈褏. 袗泻褍薪懈薪 械 懈蟹锌懈锌邪谢 胁褋懈褔泻芯, 写芯 锌芯褋谢械写薪懈褟 写械褌邪泄谢, 泻芯械褌芯 褋懈 械 胁锌械褔邪褌谢褟胁邪褖芯.
袩褉芯斜谢械屑褗褌 褋 褌邪蟹懈 锌芯胁械褋褌 械 褋谢械写薪懈褟: 写械泄褋褌胁懈械褌芯 褋械 褉邪蟹胁懈胁邪 芯褌 谐谢械写薪邪 褌芯褔泻邪 薪邪 卸械薪邪. 袣芯械褌芯 芯蟹薪邪褔邪胁邪 薪械懈蟹斜械卸械薪 邪薪邪谢懈蟹 薪邪 胁褋褟泻邪泻胁懈 褔褍胁褋褌胁邪, 械屑芯褑懈懈 懈 卸械薪褋泻懈 锌芯蟹懈褑懈懈. 袣芯谐邪褌芯 褌械蟹懈 薪械褖邪 褋邪 锌褉械写褋褌邪胁械薪懈 芯褌 谐谢械写薪邪褌邪 褌芯褔泻邪 薪邪 屑褗卸 械 薪褟泻邪泻...屑懈谢芯. 袥懈锌褋胁邪褕械 屑芯屑械薪褌邪 芯褌 "袗蟹邪蟹械谢褜", 胁 泻芯泄褌芯 褋懈 胁褗褌褉械 胁 写械泄褋褌胁懈械褌芯 懈 懈屑邪褕 胁褗蟹屑芯卸薪芯褋褌褌邪 写邪 屑懈褋谢懈褕, 写邪 褋械 谐谢邪胁芯斜谢褗褋泻邪褕 懈 写邪 懈蟹锌懈褌邪褕 褌褉懈褍屑褎 芯褌 锌褉邪胁懈谢薪懈褌械 写芯谐邪写泻懈. 孝褍泻 懈薪褌褉懈谐邪褌邪 斜械褕械 蟹邪写褍褕械薪邪 芯褌 褋褗褉写械褔薪懈褌械 褌褉械锌械褌懈 懈 薪械胁薪懈屑邪薪懈械 薪邪 袙邪褉褟 袗薪写褉械械胁薪邪, 泻芯褟褌芯 褋械 懈薪褌械褉械褋褍胁邪褕械 芯褌 胁褋懈褔泻芯, 薪芯 薪械 懈 芯褌 泻褗写械 屑懈褉懈褕械 薪邪 谐薪懈谢芯, 懈 薪邪泄-胁邪卸薪芯褌芯, 蟹邪褖芯...屑写邪.
袩褉芯斜谢械屑褗褌 褋 褌邪蟹懈 锌芯胁械褋褌 械 褋谢械写薪懈褟: 写械泄褋褌胁懈械褌芯 褋械 褉邪蟹胁懈胁邪 芯褌 谐谢械写薪邪 褌芯褔泻邪 薪邪 卸械薪邪. 袣芯械褌芯 芯蟹薪邪褔邪胁邪 薪械懈蟹斜械卸械薪 邪薪邪谢懈蟹 薪邪 胁褋褟泻邪泻胁懈 褔褍胁褋褌胁邪, 械屑芯褑懈懈 懈 卸械薪褋泻懈 锌芯蟹懈褑懈懈. 袣芯谐邪褌芯 褌械蟹懈 薪械褖邪 褋邪 锌褉械写褋褌邪胁械薪懈 芯褌 谐谢械写薪邪褌邪 褌芯褔泻邪 薪邪 屑褗卸 械 薪褟泻邪泻...屑懈谢芯. 袥懈锌褋胁邪褕械 屑芯屑械薪褌邪 芯褌 "袗蟹邪蟹械谢褜", 胁 泻芯泄褌芯 褋懈 胁褗褌褉械 胁 写械泄褋褌胁懈械褌芯 懈 懈屑邪褕 胁褗蟹屑芯卸薪芯褋褌褌邪 写邪 屑懈褋谢懈褕, 写邪 褋械 谐谢邪胁芯斜谢褗褋泻邪褕 懈 写邪 懈蟹锌懈褌邪褕 褌褉懈褍屑褎 芯褌 锌褉邪胁懈谢薪懈褌械 写芯谐邪写泻懈. 孝褍泻 懈薪褌褉懈谐邪褌邪 斜械褕械 蟹邪写褍褕械薪邪 芯褌 褋褗褉写械褔薪懈褌械 褌褉械锌械褌懈 懈 薪械胁薪懈屑邪薪懈械 薪邪 袙邪褉褟 袗薪写褉械械胁薪邪, 泻芯褟褌芯 褋械 懈薪褌械褉械褋褍胁邪褕械 芯褌 胁褋懈褔泻芯, 薪芯 薪械 懈 芯褌 泻褗写械 屑懈褉懈褕械 薪邪 谐薪懈谢芯, 懈 薪邪泄-胁邪卸薪芯褌芯, 蟹邪褖芯...屑写邪.
February 20, 2012
I enjoyed listening to this as I drove to and from work. However, toward the beginning I had trouble remembering who was who among the more secondary characters and found myself wishing I could flip back to earlier pages to remind myself. There were also a few times that I thought something was so beautifully written (or translated) that I wanted to stew over it for a bit. I think I'll eventually end up buying this in actual book form, so I can do just that.
So far I've enjoyed Akunin's Fandorin novels and look forward to reading the rest. (I'll never get one of these as an audio book again).
So far I've enjoyed Akunin's Fandorin novels and look forward to reading the rest. (I'll never get one of these as an audio book again).
March 27, 2021
艩is gan vair膩k bija spiegu rom膩ns uz krievu-turku kara fona. 艩aj膩 da募膩 bija pat 啪膿l, ka izmekl膿t膩js Fandorins vair膩k bija otr膩 pl膩na t膿ls un par膩d墨j膩s vair膩k, kad j膩izdara si啪eta pav膿rsnieni un lielais beigu atkl膩jums. Kopum膩 neslikta izklaide.
March 16, 2016
醿愥儥醿ａ儨醿樶儨醿樶儭 2 醿儤醿掅儨醿� 醿斸儬醿椺儞醿犪儩醿ａ儦醿愥儞 醿┽儛醿涐儤醿曖儛醿犪儞醿� 醿償醿氠儴醿�: 醿斸儭 醿撫儛 . 醿儤醿掅儨醿斸儜醿� 醿斸儸醿斸儬醿� 醿犪儤醿掅儤醿椺儩醿戓儛醿� (#2 醿撫儛 #8) 醿撫儛 醿儺醿愥儞醿� 醿樶儳醿�, 醿犪儩醿� 醿椺儯醿犪儱醿ａ儦醿� 醿掅儛醿涐儜醿樶儮醿樶儣 醿ａ儨醿撫儛 醿撫儛醿涐償醿儳醿�, 醿涐儛醿掅儬醿愥儧 醿樶儳醿� 醿斸儬醿椺儤 醿溼儤醿ａ儛醿溼儭醿�, 醿犪儤醿� 醿掅儛醿涐儩醿� 醿涐償醿濁儬醿斸儣醿� 醿撫儛醿曖儤醿儳醿� - 醿愥儞醿犪償 醿溼儛醿溼儛醿儤 醿涐儛醿メ儠醿� 醿愥儥醿ａ儨醿樶儨醿樶儭 醿犪儩醿涐償醿氠儤醿︶儛醿� 醿儤醿掅儨醿樶儭 醿斸儥醿犪儛醿溼儤醿栣儛醿儤醿�, 醿犪儩醿涐償醿氠儴醿樶儶 醿戓償醿曖儬醿� 醿欋儤 醿愥儬醿愥儰醿斸儬醿� 醿涐儛醿儭醿濁儠醿�, 醿涐儛醿掅儬醿愥儧 "醿溼儛 醿栣儦醿�" 醿犪儛醿� 醿涐儛醿儭醿濁儠醿� 醿愥儬醿樶儭 醿涐儣醿愥儠醿愥儬醿� 醿犪儛醿栣儠醿樶儛醿栣儥醿�. 醿ㄡ償醿♂儛醿戓儛醿涐儤醿♂儛醿�, 醿溼儯 醿掅儛醿♂儛醿掅償醿戓儤醿�. 袥褞斜芯胁薪懈褑邪 褋屑械褉褌懈-醿� 醿儛醿欋儤醿椺儺醿曖儤醿� 醿ㄡ償醿涐儞醿斸儝, 醿曖儤醿め儤醿メ儬醿� 醿犪儩醿� 醿斸儭 醿犪儛醿撫儝醿愥儨 醿樶儭醿斸儣醿� 醿欋儛醿犪儝醿� 醿曖償醿犪儛醿�, 醿樶儱醿溼償醿戓儛 醿樶儭 醿樶儳醿濁儭 醿欋儛醿犪儝醿�-醿椺儱醿�, 醿掅儛醿曖儬醿樶儭醿欋償 醿撫儛 醿犪儩醿掅儩醿犪儶 醿愥儲醿涐儩醿┽儨醿撫儛 醿掅儛醿涐儤醿涐儛醿犪儣醿氠儛 - 醿樶儭 醿溼儛醿溼儛醿儤 醿め儤醿氠儧醿� 醿愥儦醿戓儛醿� 小褌邪褌褋泻懈泄 小芯胁械褌薪懈泻-醿樶儛 醿撫儛 醿愥儬醿� 醿掅儛醿涐儜醿樶儮醿�.
醿犪儛醿� 醿ㄡ償醿斸儺醿斸儜醿� 醿儤醿掅儨醿樶儭 - 醿愥儧 醿欋儛醿儧醿� 醿償醿犪儛 醿樶儶醿樶儭, 醿め儛醿メ儮醿樶儛 - 醿樶儥醿樶儣醿償醿戓儛 醿椺儛醿曖儤醿♂儯醿め儦醿愥儞, 醿撫儛醿ａ儷醿愥儜醿愥儠醿愥儞, 醿掅儛醿♂儛醿掅償醿戓儛醿�, 醿涐儴醿曖儤醿撫儛醿�, 醿♂儛醿樶儨醿⑨償醿犪償醿♂儩醿撫儛醿� 醿欋儤. 醿樶儭醿樶儶 醿斸儮醿п儩醿戓儛, 醿犪儩醿� 醿п儠醿斸儦醿愥儰醿斸儬醿椺儛醿� 醿斸儬醿椺儛醿� 醿愥儱醿曖儭 醿樶儞醿斸儛醿�, 醿犪儩醿涐儦醿樶儭 醿掅儛醿⑨儛醿犪償醿戓儛醿♂儛醿� 醿♂儯醿� 醿儞醿樶儦醿濁儜醿� 醿椺儛醿曖儤醿� 醿儤醿掅儨醿斸儜醿ㄡ儤 - 醿氠儤醿戓償醿犪儛醿氠儤醿栣儧醿� (醿涐償 醿斸儭 醿樶儞醿斸儛 醿儛醿涐儴醿� 醿涐儩醿涐儸醿濁儨醿� 醿涐儛醿涐償醿溼儮... 醿♂儺醿曖儛 醿樶儞醿斸償醿戓儤醿� 醿儩醿戓儤醿� 醿♂儯醿� 醿涐儶醿樶儬醿�). 醿愥儧醿愥儭 醿欋儤 醿め儯醿椺儛醿曖儭 醿欋儛醿犪儝醿愥儞, 醿涐儛醿掅儬醿愥儧 醿儛醿溼儞醿愥儺醿愥儨 醿儩醿⑨儛 醿栣償醿撫儧醿斸儮醿愥儞醿愥儶, 醿欋儩醿溼儥醿犪償醿⑨儯醿氠儤 醿斸優醿濁儱醿樶儞醿愥儨 醿掅儛醿涐儩醿涐儞醿樶儨醿愥儬醿� - 醿栣儩醿掅儤 醿樶儞醿斸儛 醿撫儲醿斸儠醿愥儨醿撫償醿氠儤 醿犪儯醿♂償醿椺儤醿♂儣醿曖儤醿♂儛醿� 醿欋儤 醿栣償醿撫儧醿斸儮醿愥儞 醿椺儛醿溼儛醿涐償醿撫儬醿濁儠醿斸儛 醿撫儛 XIX 醿♂儛醿ａ儥醿ａ儨醿樶儭 醿犪儯醿♂償醿椺儴醿� 醿儩醿⑨儛 醿償醿氠儩醿曖儨醿ａ儬醿愥儞 醿┽儛醿溼儭.
醿ㄡ儤醿溼儛醿愥儬醿♂儤 醿欋儛醿犪儝醿樶儛, 醿掅儛醿溼儭醿儠醿愥儠醿斸儜醿樶儣 袥褞斜芯胁薪懈褑邪 褋屑械褉褌懈-醿樶儭醿掅儛醿�. 醿涐儛醿掅儬醿愥儧 醿涐儣醿氠儤醿愥儨醿濁儜醿愥儴醿� 醿涐儛醿樶儨醿� 醿⑨儩醿曖償醿戓儭 醿炨儬醿樶儧醿樶儮醿樶儯醿氠儤醿� 醿ㄡ儣醿愥儜醿斸儹醿撫儤醿氠償醿戓儛醿� - 醿戓償醿曖儬醿� 醿犪儛醿涐償 醿儞醿斸儜醿� 醿ㄡ償醿涐儣醿儠醿斸儠醿樶儣醿� 醿撫儛 醿撫儛醿涐儣醿儠醿斸儠醿樶儣, 醿氠儩醿掅儤醿欋儯醿犪儤 醿儛醿儠醿斸儜醿� 醿涐儩醿涐償醿溼儮醿斸儜醿ㄡ儤 醿涐儣醿氠儛醿� 醿め儩醿氠儛醿撫儤醿� 醿曖償醿犪儛醿� 醿撫儛 醿涐儣醿愥儠醿愥儬醿� 醿樶儨醿⑨儬醿樶儝醿愥儶 醿撫儛 醿涐儤醿♂儤 醿掅儛醿溼儺醿濁儬醿儤醿斸儦醿斸儜醿愥儶 醿戓儯醿溼儞醿濁儠醿愥儨醿樶儛. 醿斸儭 醿ㄡ償醿樶儷醿氠償醿戓儛 醿樶儧醿樶儭 醿戓儬醿愥儦醿樶儛, 醿犪儩醿� 醿愥儥醿ａ儨醿樶儨醿� 醿斸儶醿愥儞醿� "醿欋償醿椺儤醿氠儤" 醿涐儣醿氠儛醿� 醿欋償醿椺儤醿氠儤 醿愥儬 醿п儩醿め儤醿氠儤醿п儩 醿撫儛 "醿戓儩醿犪儩醿⑨儤" - 醿戓儩醿氠儩醿涐儞醿� 醿戓儩醿犪儩醿⑨儤. 醿斸儭 醿涐儶醿撫償醿氠儩醿戓儛 醿欋儛醿犪儝醿樶儛, 醿涐儛醿掅儬醿愥儧 醿ㄡ償醿♂儬醿ａ儦醿斸儜醿� 醿涐儩醿樶儥醿濁儹醿氠償醿戓儭.
醿儛醿涐儴醿�, 醿欋儛醿犪儝醿� "醿┽儸醿樶儠醿愥儛" 醿撫儛 醿犪儛醿撫儝醿愥儨醿愥儶 醿斸儭 醿儤醿溼儛醿♂儸醿愥儬 醿曖儤醿儩醿撫儤, 醿ㄡ償醿め儛醿♂償醿戓儤醿� 醿欋儬醿樶儮醿斸儬醿樶儯醿涐償醿戓儤 醿撫儛醿曖儛醿撫儛醿戓儦醿�. 醿愥儧醿樶儮醿濁儧醿愥儶 - 4. -醿� 醿儛醿曖儤醿欋儤醿椺儺醿愥儠. 醿♂儺醿曖償醿戓儭 - 醿愥儦醿戓儛醿� 醿愥儲醿愥儬.
醿犪儛醿� 醿ㄡ償醿斸儺醿斸儜醿� 醿儤醿掅儨醿樶儭 - 醿愥儧 醿欋儛醿儧醿� 醿償醿犪儛 醿樶儶醿樶儭, 醿め儛醿メ儮醿樶儛 - 醿樶儥醿樶儣醿償醿戓儛 醿椺儛醿曖儤醿♂儯醿め儦醿愥儞, 醿撫儛醿ａ儷醿愥儜醿愥儠醿愥儞, 醿掅儛醿♂儛醿掅償醿戓儛醿�, 醿涐儴醿曖儤醿撫儛醿�, 醿♂儛醿樶儨醿⑨償醿犪償醿♂儩醿撫儛醿� 醿欋儤. 醿樶儭醿樶儶 醿斸儮醿п儩醿戓儛, 醿犪儩醿� 醿п儠醿斸儦醿愥儰醿斸儬醿椺儛醿� 醿斸儬醿椺儛醿� 醿愥儱醿曖儭 醿樶儞醿斸儛醿�, 醿犪儩醿涐儦醿樶儭 醿掅儛醿⑨儛醿犪償醿戓儛醿♂儛醿� 醿♂儯醿� 醿儞醿樶儦醿濁儜醿� 醿椺儛醿曖儤醿� 醿儤醿掅儨醿斸儜醿ㄡ儤 - 醿氠儤醿戓償醿犪儛醿氠儤醿栣儧醿� (醿涐償 醿斸儭 醿樶儞醿斸儛 醿儛醿涐儴醿� 醿涐儩醿涐儸醿濁儨醿� 醿涐儛醿涐償醿溼儮... 醿♂儺醿曖儛 醿樶儞醿斸償醿戓儤醿� 醿儩醿戓儤醿� 醿♂儯醿� 醿涐儶醿樶儬醿�). 醿愥儧醿愥儭 醿欋儤 醿め儯醿椺儛醿曖儭 醿欋儛醿犪儝醿愥儞, 醿涐儛醿掅儬醿愥儧 醿儛醿溼儞醿愥儺醿愥儨 醿儩醿⑨儛 醿栣償醿撫儧醿斸儮醿愥儞醿愥儶, 醿欋儩醿溼儥醿犪償醿⑨儯醿氠儤 醿斸優醿濁儱醿樶儞醿愥儨 醿掅儛醿涐儩醿涐儞醿樶儨醿愥儬醿� - 醿栣儩醿掅儤 醿樶儞醿斸儛 醿撫儲醿斸儠醿愥儨醿撫償醿氠儤 醿犪儯醿♂償醿椺儤醿♂儣醿曖儤醿♂儛醿� 醿欋儤 醿栣償醿撫儧醿斸儮醿愥儞 醿椺儛醿溼儛醿涐償醿撫儬醿濁儠醿斸儛 醿撫儛 XIX 醿♂儛醿ａ儥醿ａ儨醿樶儭 醿犪儯醿♂償醿椺儴醿� 醿儩醿⑨儛 醿償醿氠儩醿曖儨醿ａ儬醿愥儞 醿┽儛醿溼儭.
醿ㄡ儤醿溼儛醿愥儬醿♂儤 醿欋儛醿犪儝醿樶儛, 醿掅儛醿溼儭醿儠醿愥儠醿斸儜醿樶儣 袥褞斜芯胁薪懈褑邪 褋屑械褉褌懈-醿樶儭醿掅儛醿�. 醿涐儛醿掅儬醿愥儧 醿涐儣醿氠儤醿愥儨醿濁儜醿愥儴醿� 醿涐儛醿樶儨醿� 醿⑨儩醿曖償醿戓儭 醿炨儬醿樶儧醿樶儮醿樶儯醿氠儤醿� 醿ㄡ儣醿愥儜醿斸儹醿撫儤醿氠償醿戓儛醿� - 醿戓償醿曖儬醿� 醿犪儛醿涐償 醿儞醿斸儜醿� 醿ㄡ償醿涐儣醿儠醿斸儠醿樶儣醿� 醿撫儛 醿撫儛醿涐儣醿儠醿斸儠醿樶儣, 醿氠儩醿掅儤醿欋儯醿犪儤 醿儛醿儠醿斸儜醿� 醿涐儩醿涐償醿溼儮醿斸儜醿ㄡ儤 醿涐儣醿氠儛醿� 醿め儩醿氠儛醿撫儤醿� 醿曖償醿犪儛醿� 醿撫儛 醿涐儣醿愥儠醿愥儬醿� 醿樶儨醿⑨儬醿樶儝醿愥儶 醿撫儛 醿涐儤醿♂儤 醿掅儛醿溼儺醿濁儬醿儤醿斸儦醿斸儜醿愥儶 醿戓儯醿溼儞醿濁儠醿愥儨醿樶儛. 醿斸儭 醿ㄡ償醿樶儷醿氠償醿戓儛 醿樶儧醿樶儭 醿戓儬醿愥儦醿樶儛, 醿犪儩醿� 醿愥儥醿ａ儨醿樶儨醿� 醿斸儶醿愥儞醿� "醿欋償醿椺儤醿氠儤" 醿涐儣醿氠儛醿� 醿欋償醿椺儤醿氠儤 醿愥儬 醿п儩醿め儤醿氠儤醿п儩 醿撫儛 "醿戓儩醿犪儩醿⑨儤" - 醿戓儩醿氠儩醿涐儞醿� 醿戓儩醿犪儩醿⑨儤. 醿斸儭 醿涐儶醿撫償醿氠儩醿戓儛 醿欋儛醿犪儝醿樶儛, 醿涐儛醿掅儬醿愥儧 醿ㄡ償醿♂儬醿ａ儦醿斸儜醿� 醿涐儩醿樶儥醿濁儹醿氠償醿戓儭.
醿儛醿涐儴醿�, 醿欋儛醿犪儝醿� "醿┽儸醿樶儠醿愥儛" 醿撫儛 醿犪儛醿撫儝醿愥儨醿愥儶 醿斸儭 醿儤醿溼儛醿♂儸醿愥儬 醿曖儤醿儩醿撫儤, 醿ㄡ償醿め儛醿♂償醿戓儤醿� 醿欋儬醿樶儮醿斸儬醿樶儯醿涐償醿戓儤 醿撫儛醿曖儛醿撫儛醿戓儦醿�. 醿愥儧醿樶儮醿濁儧醿愥儶 - 4. -醿� 醿儛醿曖儤醿欋儤醿椺儺醿愥儠. 醿♂儺醿曖償醿戓儭 - 醿愥儦醿戓儛醿� 醿愥儲醿愥儬.
August 31, 2011
During the war between Russia and the Ottoman Empire in 1877, Boris Akunin's eccentric and brilliant detective, Erast Fandorin, finds himself yet again at the center of the action. While attempting to return home to Russia after being a prisoner of the Turks, he rescues a rash young Russian woman trying to join her true love stationed at the Front. Since the woman has been robbed and needs transportation, he joins a poker game where wagers this damsel in distress against a donkey. Fortunately for her, he wins, and they set off toward their destination. In camp, officers and journalists with little to do welcome the woman happily, and when treason causes disaster, she is appointed Fandorin's assistant whose mission is to find the culprit.
Akunin has a creative imagination and a deadly eye for character description. However, for one whose grasp of Russian and Turkish history is minimal, not to mention the difficulty of keeping straight Turkish and Russian names, the book isn't always an easy read. Still, the clever twists of plot and the quirks of the various characters make The Turkish Gambit well worth the effort.
Akunin has a creative imagination and a deadly eye for character description. However, for one whose grasp of Russian and Turkish history is minimal, not to mention the difficulty of keeping straight Turkish and Russian names, the book isn't always an easy read. Still, the clever twists of plot and the quirks of the various characters make The Turkish Gambit well worth the effort.
February 19, 2010
Not being well-versed in Russian history (which may actually help), this story based on the siege of Pleven during the Russo-Turkish war (well, one of the many) didn't have the appeal that the next book in the series did. There wasn't enough Fandolin (which is a shame because he is such fun), just the whole story from the point of view of Varvara, a "modern" woman who has romantically run off to join her fiance, a cryptographer. Varya is annoying in her fickleness, which she cops to at the very beginning. Her fiance doesn't appear much in the story; she's too busy wallowing in the flirtation of handsome officers and journalists while he rots in a cell, accused of treason.
Akunin employs a clever ruse to cover several months where nothing much happens: Varya comes down with typhus! So much better than "as the months passed" or some such.
The end was a bit silly - if Romantic. Akunin seems to have adopted the literary conventions of a by-gone era, if only to parody them a bit.
Akunin employs a clever ruse to cover several months where nothing much happens: Varya comes down with typhus! So much better than "as the months passed" or some such.
The end was a bit silly - if Romantic. Akunin seems to have adopted the literary conventions of a by-gone era, if only to parody them a bit.
May 3, 2024
Abandoned at 25% through the book.
The story wasn't engaging and the author's effort to be humorous at all costs got on my nerves even more.
I loved book #1 in the series, but this one is awful and doesn't even feel like a book from the same series by the same author.
I am deeply disappointed and angry for having wasted my time reading something I didn't like from the first line.
The story also seemed disjointed, it was so difficult to understand that I left the English translation after the first chapter and started reading the translation in my native language (Italian), but the situation did not improve. I can't rate a book that I put down after only a quarter of the way through, but I would never recommend it to anyone.
The story wasn't engaging and the author's effort to be humorous at all costs got on my nerves even more.
I loved book #1 in the series, but this one is awful and doesn't even feel like a book from the same series by the same author.
I am deeply disappointed and angry for having wasted my time reading something I didn't like from the first line.
The story also seemed disjointed, it was so difficult to understand that I left the English translation after the first chapter and started reading the translation in my native language (Italian), but the situation did not improve. I can't rate a book that I put down after only a quarter of the way through, but I would never recommend it to anyone.
November 19, 2010
"I am opposed to democracy in general. One man is unequal to another from the very beginning, and there is nothing you can do about it. The democratic principle infringes the rights of those who are more intelligent, more talented, and harder working; it places them in a position of dependence of the foolish will of the stupid, talentless, and lazy, because society always contains more of the later. Let our compatriots first learn to rid themselves of their swinish ways and earn the right to bear the title of citizen, and then we can start thinking about a parliament."
April 5, 2017
诇诪专讜转 砖谞讬讞砖转讬 讗转 讛讟讜讜讬住讟 讘注诇讬诇讛 注讜讚 讘讛转讞诇讛, 讝讛讜 住驻专 诪讛谞讛 讘讬讜转专. 讛讘讞讬专讛 诇住驻专 讗转 住讬驻讜专 讛诪注砖讛 讚专讱 注讬谞讬讛 砖诇 讘讞讜专讛 爪注讬专讛 注讜砖讛 讗转 讻诇 讛讛讘讚诇 讜讙讜专诪转 诇讜 诇讛讬讜转 驻砖讜讟 诪注讜诇讛.
October 9, 2024
Complicated but fascinating historical mystery set during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. Varya Susorova makes her way to the battlefront in search of her fianc茅 Petya, a Russian cryptographer, but she is tricked and robbed by her guide. She is rescued by Erast Fandorin, who is working as special commissioner with the Army, and reluctantly becomes his secretary. She attracts the attention of a band of journalists and officers, but when Petya is arrested for espionage she realises there is a traitor within the camp, and must work with Fandorin to find out who has put the Russian cause in danger.
I loved this story, although at first I found it confusing and had to pay careful attention to work out who the characters were. It would certainly help the reader to be familiar with Russian terms and naming conventions as these are widespread -personally I liked this authenticity and also enjoyed learning about the Russo-Turkish War and the involvement of Rumania and Bulgaria in events.
The plot itself is quite complex but lively and engaging, there is plenty of action and the final scenes are very dramatic. There is a lot of dry humour combined with an air of melancholy that gives this series a very different feel from the standard historical mystery. The characters are varied and interesting, from the journalists of all nationalities to dashing army officers and bullying security police. Varya is our only female in a very masculine world, but she is so spirited and well developed that this setup works very well.
Delightful series that I will definitely be continuing.
I loved this story, although at first I found it confusing and had to pay careful attention to work out who the characters were. It would certainly help the reader to be familiar with Russian terms and naming conventions as these are widespread -personally I liked this authenticity and also enjoyed learning about the Russo-Turkish War and the involvement of Rumania and Bulgaria in events.
The plot itself is quite complex but lively and engaging, there is plenty of action and the final scenes are very dramatic. There is a lot of dry humour combined with an air of melancholy that gives this series a very different feel from the standard historical mystery. The characters are varied and interesting, from the journalists of all nationalities to dashing army officers and bullying security police. Varya is our only female in a very masculine world, but she is so spirited and well developed that this setup works very well.
Delightful series that I will definitely be continuing.
February 8, 2025
Po艂膮czenie historii z lekk膮 opowie艣ci膮 szpiegowsk膮, Akunin idealny na leniwe weekendy.
March 3, 2025
I can鈥檛 say it was especially surprising or unpredictable, but i love this series so much, such a binge-reading
February 8, 2024
Clarament millor que la primera part gr脿cies a una estructura m茅s ben tramada i uns personatges m茅s ben constru茂ts, no deixa de ser una lleugera hist貌ria que mescla g猫neres de forma efectiva i entretinguda. A m茅s a m茅s, en aquest cas s铆 que hi ha passatges cr铆tics amb R煤ssia que, tot i en boca d'estrangers, permet entendre per qu猫 l'autor ha estat prohibit i els seus llibres s'han retirat del mercat rus.
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